Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Audi A3, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 30 | 58% |
| Power train | 11 | 21% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
| Air bags | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Engine | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Air bags | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
MY CAR STALD ON ME AT A SHOPPING CENTER LOCATED ON 32ND STREET NORTH OF MCDOWELL RD IN PHOENIX,AZ. IT ANTI LOCKED ON ME AND WAS NOT ABLE TO START VEHICLE. DUE TO THIS MY CAR WAS TOWED FROM ESTABLISHMENT TO A TOW GARAGE A
NHTSA complaint: Steering
CAR IS BUCKING AND GEARS ARE SLIPPING WHILE IN MOTION. ISSUE HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. THIS IS MY FIRST AUDI & MIGHT BE MY LAST.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER CONTACTING MCKENNA AUDI (10850 FIRESTONE BLVD, NORWALK, CA),
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE SCHEDULED WITH MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER TWO TIMES TO HAVE THIS AIRBAG RECALL REPLACEMENT COMPLETED, AND BOTH TIMES, THEY HAVE CALLED ME TO INFORM ME THAT THEY A) DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS, AND B) DO NO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
"TAKATA RECALL" - I HAVE BEEN GETTING NOTICES FOR A YEAR AND STILL CAN'T GET THIS WORK PERFORMED. I HAVE CONTACTED (800) 253-2834 AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN BACK TO ME. NHSTA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000. FUEL TAN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CALLED THE AUDI DEALER TO GET MY DEFECTIVE AIRBAG REPLACED IN JUNE. I HAVE MADE REPEATED CALLS TO SEE WHEN I CAN HAVE THIS REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THEY ONLY RECEIVE THE PARTS INTERMITTENTLY AND
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANU
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TAKATA RECALL - THIS RECALL IS 2 YEARS OLD. AUDI STILL DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO REPAIR MY AFFECTED VEHICLE. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE PARTS. WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED? WILL I EVER BE ABLE TO GET
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2007 Audi A3. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure m
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswage
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009. THE CLOSING FORCE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING OF THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AU
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 42 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 30 of them (58%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.